The “IEEE Global Consumer Socialization of Smart Grid” report focuses on the importance of consumers in successful smart grid deployments. Among elements addressed in the report are consumer-facing smart grid benefits, challenges, and engagement methodologies, as well as consumer perceptions, expectations, and concerns.

“The smart grid holds open-ended promise and opportunity, however, it requires an ecosystem where disparate elements work harmoniously to fully realize the benefits and advantages it offers” said Bill Ash, strategic technology program director, IEEE-SA. “The consumer is one of the most important agents in smart grid, so it’s imperative we bring them up to speed through education and outreach, and that the industry thoroughly understands the impact they can have on their business and smart grid deployments. The data in this report will enable industry stakeholders to engage with consumers in a more meaningful, positive way, and better ensure the long-term success of the smart grid as a whole.”

“IEEE Global Consumer Socialization of Smart Grid” represents one of the smart grid industry’s most comprehensive reports on the influence consumers exert over smart grid technologies and deployments. With expansive data segregated into various sections based on consumer attributes such as requirements and priorities, the report provides a detailed exploration of the consumer socialization cycle. Topics covered include challenges consumers face when adopting smart grid services, as well as an outline of hurdles utilities, government bodies and regulatory agencies, and other key industry stakeholders face in understanding consumers’ needs and educating them on the benefits of the smart grid. The report also recommends strategies for generating broad-scale consumer awareness and acceptance of the smart grid, and important socialization channels that can be leveraged to mitigate concerns while delivering value to consumer populations.

Additionally, the IEEE Global Consumer Socialization of Smart Grid report offers a by-country smart grid assessment spanning six countries: U.S., China, Germany, India, Japan, and South Korea. Measuring consumer perception of and behavior toward renewable energy resources and the smart grid, it offers a snapshot of current awareness levels and perceptions of average consumers today. The assessment is based on a survey of consumers, 87 percent of which fall between the ages of 25 – 34, a pivotal consumer population with demonstrated willingness to try new smart grid-related services and significant influence over peers and younger generations. Notable survey findings include:

A large segment of respondents are familiar with smart grid and smart meter concepts and their associated benefits, however, additional education is required to counter misinformation and incorrect consumer perceptions

There is a continued need for smart grid stakeholders like governments and utilities to work together with targeted media channels to improve consumer smart grid awareness

The report further addresses smart grid adoption levels in each of the six countries, and analyzes consumer socialization levels based on awareness, concerns, mitigation initiatives, and the impact of consumer socialization on smart grid deployments.

Also being released is a new short-term report, “IEEE Cyber Security for the Smart Grid”, which provides an assessment of cyber security vulnerabilities within the smart grid value chain. It also outlines mitigation efforts, and additional preventative measures that can and should be adopted to prevent cyber security breaches. Among data presented are technologies and architectural guidelines for a five-step security framework encompassing prevention, detection, response, recovery, and communication, as well as an analysis of smart grid cyber security investments.

IEEE Global Consumer Socialization of Smart Grid and IEEE Cyber Security for the Smart Grid reports, and both IEEE Vision for Smart Grid Communications and IEEE Vision for Smart Grid Control roadmaps, as well as other IEEE Smart Grid Research documents are available for individual purchase at the IEEE Standards Store. IEEE Smart Grid Research materials are also available for organizations via the IEEE Xplore digital library. For information regarding access options for multiple users at any size institution or corporation, contact IEEE at www.ieee.org/smartgridresearch.

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